On Thursday, Oct. 25, the Title IX committee and Student Government Association will be co-hosting two Title IX training sessions held in Harvey Auditorium. These sessions will be dedicated to teaching students how to help sexual assault survivors. The first session will be held for women only at 6:30 p.m., followed by a session at 8 p.m. for men only. John Foubert, dean of the College of Education, will be leading both of these sessions.
“These training sessions are pivotal in both heightening awareness about the harms of sexual assault as well as equipping members of our community with the knowledge of how to respond,” said Bryan Carrier, vice president for student life and dean of students.
During the University Assessment Day, students attended Title IX training, which gave an overview of how the Union community can graciously and appropriately respond to sexual assault victims and offer them support. This upcoming training session will provide students with more specific ways to be involved in cultivating a safe campus environment.
Ann Singleton, associate provost and dean of instruction, serves as the Title IX coordinator and said that training will include bystander strategies as well as appropriate responses toward those in need.
“Because we live in a fallen world, our campus is not immune to sexual assault,” said Singleton. “With our campus committed to loving our neighbors as ourselves, we need guidance in responding well to those who need our support.”
Singleton said that Foubert has been a part of extensive research in sexual assault prevention, bystander intervention and the negative implications of pornography.
“My greatest hope is that people will come and hear more about sexual violence, and most importantly, how to help a friend who has been sexually assaulted,” Foubert said. “My focus won’t be on blaming anyone besides people who perpetrate sexual assault. My focus will be on how we can understand sexual assault and how we can help our friends who have experienced it.”
Foubert said that he is thankful for SGA’s partnership in hosting this event because the best prevention starts with students themselves.
“Odds are, everyone knows someone who has been sexually assaulted, even if we don’t yet know they had that experience,” said Foubert. “I hope to have the opportunity to teach as many people as possible about how to stop the hurt and start the healing.”
“The events this week will go a long way to ensure that students have essential information as they actively contribute to a safe and healthy learning environment here at Union,” said Singleton.
In addition to receiving this training, students who attend a training session will be entered into drawings to win one of eight $25 gift cards.
